Past Champions
  • 2016|Craig Calderone & Thomas Calderone
  • 2015|Michael Calderone & Thomas Calderone
  • 2014|Doug Blume & Dave Cavendar
  • 2013|Dave Lassanske & Horia Neagos
  • 2012|David Darling & Nate Scholten
  • 2011|Michael Calderone
  • 2010|Dave Lassanske & Horia Neagos
  • 2009|David Darling
  • 2008|Horia Neagos
  • 2007|Dave Lassanske
  • 2006|Horia Neagos
  • 2005|Horia Neagos

2012 Recap

Well folks, the 2012 MOG has come and gone and David Darling and Nate Scholten have been crowned 2012 MOG champions to cap off a fabulous weekend.  The weather was spectacular, the beautiful green grass glistening under the gorgeous clear skies, and the players certainly stepped up to deliver tremendous tennis for the dozens of fans that came out to watch.

Saturday was the “quartefinal day” so to speak.  In the top half of the draw Todd Dobben and Tommy Calderone, the number 1 seeded pair, faced a dangerous team in Chris Pearson and Mark Jones.  Following a hotly contested middle portion of the 8 game pro set, Todd’s volleying and Tommy’s serving proved to be just a bit much for Chris and Mark and led to a 8-4 win.  Just below, Matt Lantz and Jason Engle were able to use their powerful forehands to defeat Dave Oancea and Jade Collins in the first round.  Next up were the number three seeds, David Darling and Nate Scholten.  David and Nate jumped off to a big lead using David’s return of serve and Nate’s all court variety and just held off a late rally to win 8-4.

Saturday’s bottom half play was just as exciting.  The experienced two seeds, Terry Darling and Ron Labelle faced off against Gary “Woj” and Matt “Woj”, a dangerous father/ son combo, fresh off beating Tony Krupa and Subba Ready in spectacular fashion despite Subba’s huge serves and Tony’s wonderful hands.  In the end, Terry and Ron proved to be just a little to wily and cagey for the challengers nipping them at the end to win 9-8 (7-5 in the tie breaker).  In the bottom section, Doug Blume and Landon Hollow used their serves to upstage Michael Darling and Andrew Fitzpatrick 8-6 and faced off in the quarters versus the four seeds, Horia Neagos and Ben Lassanske who were able to stave off a tremendous challenge from Tony Mayotte and Jake Cross.  Despite Doug’s forehand and Landon’s incredible display of agility and foot speed, Ben’s all around court play was just a bit much in the end and Horia and Ben advanced to the semifinals.

Also advancing to the play on Sunday were Dave Oancea and Jade Collins in the top half for the consolation final after beating the up and coming pairing of Sam Dobben and Jonah Engle.  Awaiting for them on Sunday would be Michael Darling and Andrew Fitzpatrick, who were just a little too fresh for Tony Krupa and Subba Ready.

Sunday, the weather was gorgeous and play was underway promptly at 10 am. First up, the number 1 seeds, Tommy and Todd faced off versus the number 3 seeds, David and Nate.  The first set was a firestorm of huge serving by Tommy as well as wonderful net play by Todd, and saw the 1 seeds cruise to a 6-2 win.  However, David and Nate seemed to weather the storm early in the second set, and were able to jump off to an early break lead by simply scrapping and returning tremendously.  Dave and Nate were able to hang on to the one break lead throughout by evening the match at one set all.  The super tiebreaker featured some amazing points, and in the end the comeback story was complete as David and Nate prevailed 10 – 4.

Next up, a totally different match-up ensued.  Terry and Ron faced off against Ben and Horia in a truly throwback to the 70′s style tennis.  The first set featured very consistent serving by both teams, and tremendous display of “cageyness” and “scrappines” with awesome net exchanges as well as numerous high lobs in the bright sun.  (This prompted the tournament director to mention that he has never seen that many lobs in the same match in the tournament’s 7 year history).  In the end, Ben’s forehand return and Horia’s net play was just a bit much and they eked out a 6-3 set win.  The second set featured Terry’s scrambling ability as well as Ron’s tremendous “american twist” serve, which was nearly impossible to return on grass.  The set was very tight throughout, and finally Terry and Ron were able to go up 4-3 by breaking Ben’s serve.  At that point, Horia and Ben seemed to change strategy somewhat, and by using a more “go for broke” approach, they were able to turn the tide, break back and hold to go up 5-4.  The final game was of course hotly contested, but in the end using some lucky bounces, Horia and Ben were able to advance to the final with a 6-3, 6-4 win.

The third match on Sunday, featured the consolation final between Dave and Jade versus Mike and Andrew.  This entertaining match-up provided the fans with a dazzling display of serving and returning by Mike and Andrew as well as awesome scrambling and net play by Jade and Dave.  In the end, Mike and Andrew proved to be just a bit fresher, as they were crowned consolation champions by winning 8-5.

The final match-up on Sunday pitted the 3 seeds, David and Nate versus the 4 seeds, Horia and Ben.  In the beginning, it seemed as if Horia and Ben would be able to draw on their superior experience to perhaps out think their younger more powerful opponents.  However, despite an early break, David’s huge serving and Nate’s net play allowed them to crawl back in the set and nose ahead while on serve.  Finally, they were able to break Horia’s serve to get the necessary break and made it count to win the opening set 6-4.  Second set featured more of the same, as David’s return of serve this time and Nate’s serving proved to be mesmerizing at times.  Despite Ben’s own great serving and massive forehand returns, Horia’s serve seemed to the weak link in the hot summer afternoon.  David and Nate seemed to have just the necessary beat on it, and they were able to do what was  perhaps unthinkable just a few years ago, and broke Horia two more times in the second set alone.  This proved to be too much to overcome despite Ben’s all court efforts.  Using some absolute bombs, David served out the match to win 6-4, 6-4 and make David Darling and Nate Scholten 2012 Masters of Grass Champions.

In the end, the weekend was a total success.  Dozens of fans were able to enjoy some tremendous grass court tennis as well as a tremendous familial atmosphere at the RiverGlen  Tennis Center.  2013 MOG will once again feature doubles competition, and will see David Darling and Nate Scholten return to defend their title.  Thank you to all the fans and the spectators that came out to add to the tremendous atmosphere.  Thank you to Meghan Dobben and Charlie Dobben for their gracious hospitality.  And finally, thank you to the tournament director, Todd Dobben, for once again providing all the competitors with an incredible opportunity to play in the Midwest’s top grass court tournament.  We look forward to seeing all of you return in 2013 for more awesome days at the Masters of Grass.